Zarek finally placed his hand on her waist.
"Be patient with me, Eliora."
His voice had lost its edge completely now.
She searched his face. He didn't look like a king in that moment.
He looked… unsure.
"I know I am difficult," he continued. "Difficult to be with and difficult to understand."
Her chest tightened a bit at the admission.
"This is who I am," he said. "Who I have always been."
"I cannot promise that I will change. I cannot promise that my instincts will soften or that I will suddenly stop reacting the way I do."
He lifted his other hand and brushed her cheek.
"But I can promise that I will try to control what I can."
Eliora swallowed.
"You're asking me to accept you exactly as you are," she said softly.
"Yes."
"And if it hurts me sometimes?"
"Then you tell me."
Her eyes flickered. "And you'll listen?"
"I will listen."
Her heart was still racing, but not wildly anymore.
